The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-01-19
Practical Tests in Transplanting.

In an essay read by Mr.. j. T. Lovett,
Little Silver, n. j., before the last
meeting of the American Horticultural
Society, this enterprising horticulture
list presented some facts in relation to
transplanting born of his own expe-
rience, and what, in many instances,
demolish pet theories. Following are
some of his statements:
Fust.-Celery and cabbage plants
become established in their new quar-
tiers as well and as quickly whether
freshly taken from the seed-bed or
after being kept in a damp cellar for
any number of days between one and
six, with a hardly noticeable difference
only in favor of the freshly-pulled
plants.
Second. There is no perceptible diff
ference in the behavior of plants after
transplanting whether during their
short interim in the cellar their roots
were kept in damp soil or water. The
new formation of fbrous rootlets, one
quarter of an inch in length, developed
during several days. soiourn of the
vantage whatever.
Third.-Plants set out just as they
come from the seed-bed or cellar do
exactly as well as those the roots of
which were dipped in water or mud be-
fore transplanting. The famous "pud-
ding" is of no account.
Fourth.-The application of water to
a reasonably moist soil-one which is
neither wet nor dry, and therefore in
the only proper condition for the
work-after transplanting has no WISH
BILE effect and is entirely superfiuous.
FJth.-When the soil is very dry
the application of water some time
before setting out the plants, so to get
merely moist soil at planting time,
is of decided advantage and preferable
to watering after planting.
Stakeholder average conditions it
was found immaterial whether the
work is done in the forenoon or after
noon. Only during extremely hot
weather, with an excessively dry at
mosphere, it is advised to defer setting
plants until after four p. VI.
Serenth.-Plants pulled from the
seed-bed, when this is thoroughly wet,
recover from the effects of transplant
ing sooner than when taken from a
scarcely moist bed
Notwithstanding the plants for a few
days after setting them out, either by
means of boards above the rows or by
other means, is of decided and lasting
benefit.
The here enumerated facts appear to
justify the axiom that the plant itself
its character, size and condition-is a
most potent factor. As regards size
the advice is given that celery plants
be large, in fact the larger the better,
as the roots develop but slowly during
their earlier life. Cabbage plants of
medium size seem to get over the eff
fects of transplanting quicker than very
large or very small ones. Their roots
develop comparatively much earlier
than those of celery. In both kinds of
plants, however, the proper balance be-
tween root and top must be either al
ready existing or established by pruning
The character, or rather composition
of the plants, is of the utmost impor'
lance. Any plant, no matter how
thrifty it may appear to be, is of little
value if its mineral constituents are
scanty. The right kind of plants, such
as will bear handling and transplanting
well and quickly recover from its eff
fects, are those grown in soil abound
ing with the elements of plant-food
not in one with an excess OF vegetable
matter